Mushroom Material
About
We’ve created an eco-friendly alternative to polystyrene
Transforming agricultural waste into eco-friendly packaging, we’ve harnessed the power of mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, to create a sustainable alternative to polystyrene (Styrofoam).
- Location
- Auckland
- Website
- Visit website
- Founded
- 2020
- Employees
- 11-50
- Industry
- CleanTech
- Funding stage
- Seed
The Matchstiq Top 2025
Snapshot of Mushroom Material
BoldTransforming Global Packaging with Fungi-Based Solutions
Auckland-based Mushroom Material has secured US$5 million in seed funding from Wavemaker Partners (Singapore) and Icehouse Ventures, advancing its mission to replace single-use styrofoam with a scalable, palletised fungi-based alternative.
Unlike conventional mycelium packaging, which takes one to two weeks to grow in shaped molds, Mushroom Material has developed a process that produces millions of fungi pellets, quickly and cost-effectively molded to protect everything from bulky appliances to delicate electronics.
By pairing mycelium with agricultural waste (wood chips, straw, cardboard, etc.), Mushroom Material delivers a solution that is biodegradable, sustainably sourced, and capable of shock absorption and water resistance.
Already, over 200 global brands have expressed interest, reflecting the urgent demand for eco-friendly packaging that can match the performance and scale of styrofoam and help drive the worldwide transition to greener logistics.
The result is shelf-stable for up to two years yet biodegrades in just six weeks, offering the protective qualities of polystyrene without the environmental toll.
With the new funding, the company plans to build a 1,300m² pilot plant in Auckland, deliver samples to customers by year-end, and begin commercial shipments by 2025, bringing a scalable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to the global packaging market.